Juan Patrón: A Fallen Star in the Days of Billy the Kid

E-book available hereKindle version ($2.99) available hereJuan Patrón lived through one of the bloodiest chapters of the American West: the 1878 feud known as the Lincoln County War in New Mexico. Reputed for his heroics, Patrón tried to tame a frontier plagued with violence, illiteracy and greed--first as a teacher, then as a desperado hunter, and eventually as speaker of the territorial house at age twenty-five, the youngest person to hold this position in New Mexico in history.

With keen, well-researched detail and the skill of a master storyteller, author Paul Tsompanas leads us through Patrón's life and times--and his fate at the hands of a Texas cowboy named Michael Maney, who outdrew him in a dramatic showdown. Many believe that, had he lived, Patrón would have become New Mexico's first congressman when it entered the Union in 1912.

PaperbackISBN: 978-0-9849588-8-7

_

Interview with the Author

Listen as Belle Isle author Paul Tsompanas talks about his book Juan Patron: A Fallen Star in the Days of Billy the Kid. This interview was conducted by XTRA 99.1 FM on June 10th, 2013.

Praise for Juan Patrón: A Fallen Star in the Days of Billy the Kid

In his story of Juan Patron-A Fallen Star in the Days of Billy the Kid, Mr. Tsompanas has written a non-fiction "page turner." He brings to life that period of time we called the Old West when men really did carry pistols, knew how to use them, and used them quite often. Amid all the senseless violence and killings stands Juan Patron with his political yearnings and desire for law and order in the New Mexico Territory. For Juan Patron was first and foremost an educated man. The story of his education and the early building of schools in the territory alone makes for compelling reading. Oh, and if you want to know what connection Billy the Kid had with the author of Ben-Hur, you'll have to read Mr. Tsompanas' book. ---Kenneth E. Bredehoeft, via Amazon.

I was born in Lincoln County in 1933. As would be expected during my youth I heard many stories about the "Lincoln County War". Much of it was from those who were alive during the war who were friends of my Grandfather. I heard from some who were on both sides with an enmnity for the other side that was still alive when the first "Lincoln County Days Celebration" was held.

This book (Juan Patron) gave me a new slant that was detailed and unbiased. It was well written and well researched. I congratulate the author and thank him the new insight I have received.

--- GT Howard, via Amazon. “The author gives us a long-overdue account of Juan Patrón’s astonishing political career and rounds it out with an impeccably detailed presentation—undoubtedly the fullest ever written---of the mysterious manner of his death…This recognition of his achievements and premature death is long overdue, and I commend both it and its author to you.” ---Frederick Nolan, author of The West of Billy the Kid

"New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment. What it is, truthfully, is a land of historical significance. My husband and I enjoy visiting historical sites and reading about the people who lived in there in the past. We have been to Lincoln and Ft. Stanton several times, but I don't recall seeing a thing about Juan Patron. That's why I was drawn to this book." ---Jo Ann Hakola, The Book Faerie. “A biography of Juan B. Patrón has long been awaited by students of New Mexico’s inglorious Lincoln County War. Paul L.Tsompanas provides us a very readable account of his rise from a minor county official to Speaker of the House in Santa Fe and to his violent death at age thirty-two.”---Marc Simmons, New Mexico historian and author of books on the Southwest “Paul Tsompans takes the reader on a remarkable journey through the life of Juan Patrón in the New Mexico Territory, one of the last frontiers of the American West, where guns rather than law still settled disputes. While Patrón’s life and times are the threads that weave a tale of violence and tragedy, the roles of other lesser figures like the notorious Billy the Kid will compel the reader to keep turning the pages of this extraordinary book.”---G. William Whitehurst, author and history professor, Old Dominion University“This book gives us a very refreshing account of the most over-reported war on American soil. Free from the traditional Anglo myopia bias, the reader finally gets a fair account from the Hispanic perspective. And fair it is. We see a fine native son as a real leader—warts and all--- measured against his exact opposite, Billy the Kid. This is good writing and good history. ---Jim Bradshaw, retired archivist, Haley Memorial Library, Midland, Texas

,

About the Author

Paul L. Tsompanas returned to writing after a long career as a senior congressional staff member. Before entering the world of politics, he spent ten years as an award-winning reporter for California and New Mexico newspapers. Through the years, he has contributed articles to various regional and national magazines. He and his wife, Mary Ann, live in Colonial Beach, Virginia, seventy miles south of Washington, D.C. For more about Paul and his book, visit his webpage at www.paultsompanas.com.

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.